J&K govt mulls installing GPS in all commercial vehicles

Jammu and Kashmir government iscontemplating to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in all commercial vehicles to check violations like overloading, over-speeding and flouting of route permits.

"All types of commercial vehicle operators will have to install GPS in their vehicles in the state shortly. The initiative is being taken to ensure safety and security of passengers," a spokesman said after a high-level review meeting chaired by transport minister Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan.

In this connection, a control unit is being set up in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu which will be monitored regularly to get the desired results, the spokesman said.

The government is also contemplating issuing smart cards instead of present paper licence to the drivers, he said.

The smart card will be fixed with a chip which will contain all necessary records pertaining to both the vehicle and the driver, he said.

He said High Security Registration Plates have been installed in 4 lakh vehicles in the state since 2012, besides the process of fixing of such plates in remaining 7 lakh vehicles is on.

Presently, plates are being fixed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 series vehicles, the spokesman said, adding that no fitness certificate, however, is being issued to those commercial vehicles which do not have the plates so far.

The spokesman said regional and assistant regional transport officers have been directed to ensure that fare meters are installed in every auto-rikshaw and it is functional so that the passengers are not overcharged.

At the meeting, it was also directed to check the menace of overloading in mini-buses which has now became a great problem for the general people, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the Motor Vehicle Department has realised an amount of Rs 54.72 crore as registration fee and fine during the last financial year.